INDIA Bloc Seeks President’s Intervention Over Electoral Irregularities

A 10-member INDIA bloc delegation met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today, and submitted a memorandum raising concerns over alleged electoral irregularities. The delegation demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, restoration of 13.30 crore allegedly deleted voters, a return to paper ballots and the repeal of Assembly elections held over the past two years where the Opposition claims evidence of vote theft exists. It also sought repeal of the 2023 law granting immunity to the CEC and Election Commissioners.

The delegation included Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule, RJD MP Manoj Jha, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan, IUML leader E.T. Mohammed Basheer, CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby and CPI general secretary D. Raja. The meeting followed an Opposition march towards Rashtrapati Bhavan, which was stopped by police at Vijay Chowk. Several MPs staged a sit-in protest there.

After the meeting, Rahul Gandhi said the President had asked the delegation to provide evidence of alleged “vote chori”. He said the INDIA bloc would submit the evidence and announced plans to approach the Supreme Court on Monday to meet the Chief Justice of India. Kharge demanded the use of paper ballots instead of electronic voting machines (EVMs). Mamata Banerjee said the President had agreed to examine the concerns and asked the delegation to provide supporting evidence. She also said the INDIA bloc remained united and represented more than 60 per cent of the people.